Courses

Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.

About NUI Galway

Since 1845, NUI Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.

Course Overview

This part-time certificate programme provides a high-quality youth work programme, enabling people working within the youth work sectors, whether private, voluntary or statutory, to gain additional skills and knowledge in response to the changing youth work context.

Applications and Selections

This programme will not run in semester 1, 2017/18. Applications will be accepted in November 2017 for a semester 2 commencement date.

*To be considered as an adult student and therefore eligible to participate on these courses which are under the remit of the NUI Galway Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development, an applicant must have reached 21 years of age on or before 1st January of the year of proposed entry.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Assessment is by means of a combination of written assignments, online exercises, project work and practical assignments.

*To be considered as an adult student and therefore eligible to participate on these courses which are under the remit of the NUI Galway Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development, an applicant must have reached 21 years of age on or before 1st January of the year of proposed entry.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants for the course should meet the University’s requirements for mature students (see here for further details), and should have good reading and writing skills, as well as basic IT skills, as independent home study is required.

*To be considered as an adult student and therefore eligible to participate on these courses which are under the remit of the NUI Galway Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development, an applicant must have reached 21 years of age on or before 1st January of the year of proposed entry.

Additional Requirements

Duration

Six months, part-time

Next start date

Please contact the Course Coordinator

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25-30

Closing Date

Next start date

Please contact the Course Coordinator

NFQ level

Mode of study

Blended learning

ECTS weighting

15

Award

CAO

PAC code

Course Outline

The programme has been designed in collaboration with organisations/employers in the wider youth work sector to ensure that participants are equipped to work in a variety of settings. As a part-time programme, using blended learning methods, participants can structure their learning and study time while working in a youth work environment.

The programme is conducted on a modular basis over one year. The blended learning methods of delivery involve a combination of online, flexible and face-to-face learning provision. The programme is innovative for promoting active learning in the workplace, with assessments based on real-life situations in a youth work environment. The programme is devised on a modular, credit basis, where each module carries a specific number of credits. The Certificate in Youth Work Practice carries an overall credit weighting of 15 ECTS.

Modules
for 2015-16

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases). Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits

You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.

Optional

A module you may choose to study.

Required

A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).

Semester

Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1
(15 Credits)

Optional CY1101: Young People and Society

CY1101: Young People and Society

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module focuses on the life-stage of young person’s popularly and universally referred to as youth. The youth are duly recognized as a group who hold potential for great prospects in their personal and public lives. The opportunities or lack thereof can heighten public participation or it can alienate the individual. This life-stage development differs for all youth. Race, class, religion, gender and disability are dominant factors impacting on their life chances, educational experiences, vocational choices and potential. The critical debates around the reciprocity of youth and society are, therefore, located within the constitution of the family and the contexts of community and society.(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate in in-depth understanding of the sociological concepts and theories related to youth and youth culture

Assess the representation of young people in Irish society

Critically assess current youth policies and programmes in modern Ireland

Assess the experiences of young people in Irish society and outline the key issues affecting young people in contemporary Irish society

Reading List

"National Youth Work Development Plan, 2003-2007" by Department of Education and SciencePublisher: Stationary Office

"National Youth Development Plan, 2003-2007." by Department of Health and ChildrenPublisher: Stationary Office

"Young People in Contemporary Ireland." by Lalor, K., de Roiste,A., Devlin, M.Publisher: Gill and Macmillan

The above information outlines module CY1101: "Young People and Society"
and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CY1102: Youth Work Practice

CY1102: Youth Work Practice

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

The aim of this module is to focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of youth work. The module will provide the theoretical framework and practical skills necessary for participants to engage young people in community initiatives looking specifically at the role that young people can play in the development of their communities and also the role that the community can play in developing their young people.(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

Define youth work and discuss the principles and practice of working with young people

Outline the development of theory and practice in relation to youth work in Ireland

Demonstrate an understanding of the skills, knowledge and interventions involved in working with young people

Critically evaluate the means of youth work delivery in Ireland today

Critique how community youth work in practice seeks to address the issues facing young people

The above information outlines module CY1102: "Youth Work Practice"
and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CY1103: Introduction to Learning

CY1103: Introduction to Learning

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module concentrates on improving the abilities of undergraduate students to develop their academic, transferable, generic and employment-related skills, and on preparing them to plan, prepare, edit and present written and oral work. The module will challenge students to develop the following skills: academic writing, research techniques, critical thinking and oral presentation.(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

Acquire and develop a range of research skills and gain an understanding of their practical application to the undergraduate research process.

The above information outlines module CY1103: "Introduction to Learning"
and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CY1104: Introduction to Politics and Policy Making

CY1104: Introduction to Politics and Policy Making

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module seeks to provide an accessible introduction to politics and policy making in Ireland through consideration of a select number of concepts, features and systems.
It is concerned with introducing learners to the basic concerns and considerations relating to: the rationale for having a political and policy-making system,
the purpose and shape of the political and policy-making system,
the potential for those involved in community work and family support practice to impact upon policy.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

Determine the basis and legitimacy of the political and policy-making system

Position the role of a citizen within the political and policy-making system

Analyse selected political ideologies in terms of arguments relating to the scope of government

Identify selected political divisions in Irish society and identify the key elements of the political structure in Ireland

Understand the nature and extent of Ireland’s separation of powers

Compare and contrast features of the Irish structure with international models

"The Republic of Ireland" by Brunt, BPublisher: Paul Chapman Publishing.

The above information outlines module CY1104: "Introduction to Politics and Policy Making"
and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CY1105: The Theory and Practice of Conflict Transformation

CY1105: The Theory and Practice of Conflict Transformation

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module examines the theory and practice of conflict transformation and peace building. It recognises conflict as an inseparable part of human interaction which can, when addressed effectively, resolve underlying needs and concerns, build sustainable communities and ultimately lead to peaceful and positive change.(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the main theories and current thinking in the field of conflict resolution

The above information outlines module CY1105: "The Theory and Practice of Conflict Transformation"
and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CY1106: Understanding Community Health

CY1106: Understanding Community Health

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module seeks to provide a broad understanding of health in Irish society particularly from a community perspective. It begins by looking at health issues within the context of international definitions and a national policy framework. It then examines the role of the individual, the community and society in determining health. It also examines the specifics of the Irish health system in terms of current policy, structures, financing and legislation.(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Define “Health”

2. Explain the influence of social and environmental factors on health

3. Discuss the role of the community in health improvement

4. Discuss the part played by lifestyle in a person’s health

5. Discuss key aspects of health policy in Ireland today

6. Outline the current structural, financial and legal arrangements for delivery of health services in Ireland

The above information outlines module CY1106: "Understanding Community Health"
and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CY1107: The Sociology of Development

CY1107: The Sociology of Development

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module provides a critical introduction to the sociology of development, a key area in the social sciences, but a deeply contested one. It begins by questioning the meaning of the word, looking at different definitions of development and the agendas that they address. The module provides a critical overview of different theoretical perspectives on development, locating them within the historical and geopolitical context. This will include the modernisation approach, dependency and world-systems theory and alternative perspectives such as basic-needs and community development approaches, ecological and sustainable development and feminist perspectives. A discussion on globalisation will be used to think through the different perspectives on each concrete issue. (Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain different meanings of development

2. Explain Classical models of development and change

3. Outline Radical and alternative models of development and change

4. Assess where family and community sit in models of development and change

Further Education

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

There are many career opportunities open to graduates of the Certificate in Youth Work Practice programme as it offers a solid practical and theoretical understanding of the youth work sectors, whether private, voluntary or statutory.

Who’s Suited to This Course

This programme has been devised for:

People working within the youth work sectors, whether private, voluntary or statutory.

People with appropriate experience in youth work and who are in a position to undertake course assignments and projects relating to practical aspects of youth work.

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€500

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€1000

A fees scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment. Students must be registered as unemployed and in receipt of one of the following:

Find out More

What Our Students Say

Deane
Connolly
|
Cert in Youth Work Practice graduate

The Level 7 cert. course was perfect for me, exactly what I needed to get back into education. It can help people from various backgrounds to take a leap back into the realm of classes/lectures in a way that is not threatening/daunting. My classmates were parents or students who had tried college but it hadn’t worked out & people who worked in the youth sector but wanted to go further. There was huge diversity which is so beneficial as you learn as much from your peers as you do from the tutors. The course workload & accessibility were very feasible. I’m 24 & had tried college before, straight from the Leaving Cert into a course that I was not passionate about. I dropped out, worked & started volunteering more in my local youth club when finally the penny dropped; this is what I wanted to do for a living. This course set me on the path. I’ve since completed it & I’m currently furthering my education with NUI Galway. The things that you learn are compelling & have a way to make a connection with something in your own life. The support you the student will have is second to none; you are not a number here, you are a person & the tutors want nothing but progression & success for you.